Kimberly Radewicz, a seven-year employee of the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, is the new superintendent at Eno River State Park in Durham. Radewicz succeeds Keith Nealson, who was named the division’s Chief Ranger last fall after serving as superintendent at Eno River for 10 years.
A superintendent is the chief of operations and administration at a state park or recreation area and has wide-ranging responsibilities for staffing, training, law enforcement, visitor services, natural resource protection, community outreach and environmental education.
Eno River State Park encompasses 4,300 and offers nearly 30 miles of trails in Durham and Orange counties along a swift, shallow stream that’s popular with anglers, hikers, and photographers. The park serves 645,000 visitors each year. Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, home to the highest point in Orange County, is also managed by Eno River State Park staff and serves over 216,000 visitors each year.
A native of Virginia Beach, Va., Radewicz graduated from Saint Francis University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in marine science. She received a Master of Science in environmental science from UNC-Wilmington in 2013. In her career prior to joining the Division of Parks and Recreation, she worked as a SCUBA instructor, an educator at Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, and a divemaster at the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island.
Radewicz joined the division in 2013 at Falls Lake State Recreation Area and was promoted in 2017 to Natural Resource Ranger at Eno River State Park. She went on to serve as acting superintendent when Nealson became the division’s Chief Ranger.
“Kim’s extensive background in environmental management is ideal for this beloved park,” said Dwayne Patterson, director of the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. “Her experience including education, instruction, and natural resource management have served the park well for years and now we can look forward to her leadership at Eno River.”
Radewicz looks forward to what’s ahead in her new role. “My priorities are to manage the land as best I can to preserve the beauty and ecosystems for their health and the enjoyment of our visitors, and to help my staff realize their goals as they continue with their careers with NC State Parks,” she said. “I’m eager to manage all the triumphs and challenges we have ahead, including the upcoming construction of our Visitor Center and maintenance area.”
About North Carolina State Parks
North Carolina State Parks manages more than 237,000 acres of iconic landscape within North
Carolina’s state parks, state recreation areas and state natural areas. It administers the N.C Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, including its local grants program, as well as a state trails program, North Carolina Natural and Scenic Rivers and more, all with a mission dedicated to conservation, recreation and education. The state parks system welcomes over19 million visitors annually.